7 Stunning Festivals to See Before you Die

The Rio Carnival

Is a non-stop party running for 5 to 6 consecutive days with dancers from all over the world dressed in brightly colored costumes, giant beautifully decorated parades on the beach, in castles and in the streets, lots of samba dancing, and Latin music. Celebrated six weeks before Easter holidays, in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil.

Photo by Terry George

Photo by Cora Ronal

Carnevale di Venezia (Carnival of Masks)

Is famed for for its Venetian masks custom made for the event, it features several musical shows, a contest to choose the best mask, gondola parades. It’s like taking part of a fairytale! Celebrated forty days before Easter holidays, in Venice – Italy.

Photo by La Vaglia di Alice

Photo by La Valigia di Alice

Holi festival

Is a colors & water fight festival and a very colourful one, celebrated in spring time around February or March, the date varies every year as per the Hindus Calendar. It takes place in countries populated by large numbers of Hindus, specially India & Nepal. Celebrations start the night before, this is when people gather to sing and dance, on the festival day participants color each other with dry powder & colored water, and chase each other to start a water fight.

Photo by onthego tours

Photo by Chris Chabot

Photo by hculligan

La Tomatina

Is a tomatoes throwing fight festival celebrated the last weekend of August in the town of Bunol near Valencia in Spain and is attended by people from all over the world. Just make sure to be dressed in clothes that you’ll throw away right after the event.

Photo by Reno Tahoe

Keukenhof Tulip Fields

It’s not a festival, but an event that marks the beginning of Spring and Tulip blossom, runs from March 21st uptil May 22nd. Located in Lisse, 20 minutes bus ride from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it is the biggest display of tulip flowers in the world, and one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Photo by Sheila Sund

Photo by Toni Almodovar Escuder

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Taking place in Mexico on Oct. 31st, Nov. 1st & Nov. 2nd to remember those who passed away, and pray for them. It is a colorful display of costume and culture, honoring the deceased by making his/her favorite foods, building sugar skulls, and visiting their graves with these as gifts.

Photo by KGSImanging

Photo by Malingering

Harbin Ice & Snow Festival

Every year people create incredible sculptures out of ice and snow, decorating them with lights and lasers, carvings could reach up to 6 meters in height. It’s a winter festival celebrated on January 5th till February 5th, in Harbin, Heilongjiang in China.